Ritz Carlton DC
Going on its third year, the Human Right Campaign’s [HRC] annual Chefs for Equality event continues to return with one resolute goal: make marriage equality a reality across America. On Tuesday, September 23 from 7-9:30PM at the Ritz-Carlton in Washington, DC, more than 100 celebrated Washington, DC area chefs, pastry chefs and mixologists are joining forces for the cause – this year with their sights set on the legalization of same-sex marriage in the state of Virginia. Set to the theme of “Virginia Real,” the gala will have the joyfulness of a wedding celebration through an evening of food, drink, music and an incredible auction.
The pièce de résistance is not just a piece of cake, but 12 masterfully decorated, multi-tiered wedding cakes that will add extravagant panache for guests to feast their eyes upon when entering the soirée. These grand displays of wedding cakes will seduce dessert-lovers with seasonal punches of flavors and textures ranging from spiced Pumpkin and tart Whipped Key Lime, to decadent Beet Red Velvet and sumptuous Salted Caramel Buttercream.
The sweetest participants creating these meaningful monuments of love include Bryan Sorrentino of Charm City Cakes, the ladies of Georgetown Cupcake, Penny Karas of Hello Cupcake, Laurie Weber of The Swiss Bakery, Sara Siegel of Fiola Mare, Ryan Westover of 1789, Peter Brett of Stratford University School of Baking and Pastry Arts, Tiffany MacIsaac of Buttercream Bake Shop, The Ritz Carlton, DC, Padua Player of Susan Gage Catering, Lara Halabi Stein of Fluffy Thoughts Cakes and Meredith Thomason of RareSweets. Other sugary supporters providing desserts for the event Makin’ Whoopie!, Red Truck Bakery, Dolci Gelati, and Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats.
DC chef turned prominent food columnist and cookbook author David Hagedorn has once again teamed up with the HRC to host this annual fundraiser. Falling nearly one year to the day from his one-year anniversary to his long-time partner Michael Widomski, this year’s event will be a sweet celebration for Hagedorn – and an important reminder to continue the fight for marriage equality in all 50 states.
After years of fighting for change, Hagedorn, along with the HRC, hope the results in the remaining 31 states will end on a sweet note. From fall leaves to colorful fondant-covered confections, these cakes are just one tasty way of signifying the joy and bliss of a legally recognized union.
“I’m thrilled to bring together leaders of the culinary community for a very special night not only to celebrate how far we have come, but to also raise awareness and funds to finish the job,” says Hagedorn. “With an evening of festivities that support such a worthy cause, these sweet wedding-themed displays will truly be… the icing on the cake!”
Tickets for Chefs for Equality are available for purchase on chefsforequality.org. Tickets are $150 per person. Proceeds will benefit the Human Rights Campaign’s efforts to legalize same-sex marriage throughout the country.